Thursday, March 28, 2024

Sinkamba still optimistic Mwanakatwe will deliver on US$750 million eurobond repayment

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GREEN Party Presidential Candidate Peter Sinkamba
GREEN Party Presidential Candidate Peter Sinkamba

Green Party President Peter Sinkamba says he is still optimistic that Finance Minister Margret Mwanakatwe will deliver on the repayment of the US$750 Million Eurobond repayment which is due in 2022.

Responding to a press query on the K5 Billion first quarter 2018 budget overrun, Mr. Sinkamba said the overrun is quite depressing. He has called upon Ms Mwanakatwe to be on top of things and immediately implement some of the measures discussed.

He said Ms Mwanakatwe has goodwill of the majority of Zambians. He prodded her not squander this golden opportunity.

“It is quite depressing that in the first quarter alone, the 2018 budget has been overrun by K5 Billion. This means from the of K71.7 Billion budgeted for the year, we only have a paltry K27.8 Billion remaining. This clearly shows we are in red and the only way out is to trigger some emergency measures,” he said.

“Moving forward, Ms Mwanakatwe needs to put her foot down. She needs to drastically cut budgeted expenditure. Unbudgeted expenditure should be a no-go area. If anything, now is the time to be on top of things and set the austerity measures into fully-fledged mode,” he added.

“To start with, Ms Mwanakatwe must start implementing some of the measures we discussed aimed at generating funds to repay the US$750 Million Eurobond loan. Some of the measures we proposed require a gestation period of three years. Therefore, now is the time to set the measures into motion,” he said.

With regard to the budget overrun, he said that the starting point is the issue of personal-to-holder cars. He said Ms. Mwanakatwe must order that all personal-to-holder cars be parked forthwith. He has also suggested that apart from defence, security and emergency vehicles only a limited number of pool vehicles should be allowed to service ministries and all government agencies.

“This is the moment of truth. She must make up for the budget overrun. The starting point is to drastically cut recurrent spending, especially on public service transport support. She should order that all personal-to-holder cars be parked forthwith. Ministers and the rest who hold public offices should find their way to and from respective offices. The only exemption should be the President, Vice President, as well as defence, security and emergency vehicles. The rest should use their own transport. She must live by example. So, she should be the first to surrender her car, and other ministers should follow suit” Mr. Sinkamba said.

Meanwhile, Mr. Sinkamba has commended recent moves by the PF and UPND youths to reconcile and make peace.

“We are extremely delighted that PF and UPND youths have made commendable moves to reconcile. We all know this is a complicated world. There are times when we may be called to arms, but as the Greens, we maintain that violence is almost always self-defeating, and always must be the very, very last choice. Therefore, we must all work to end violence and eliminate the root causes of this ugly crime. So, what the PF and UPND youths are doing must be applauded by all well-meaning Zambians, and we encourage the two groups to continue on this trajectory,” he said.

9 COMMENTS

  1. “….She should order that all personal-to-holder cars be parked forthwith. Ministers and the rest who hold public offices should find their way to and from respective offices…”

    Sinkamba , Iam beginning to wounder about the weed you smoke , how can you pass such a comment when you know full well that PF need and use those GRZ cars for campains ??

    • Sinkamba just look at the PF Lusaka mayor campaign for miles Sampa , all PF are using GRZ transport…

    • I was at UTH, cleaning toilets for doctors and I met a doctor from Namwala. I asked him that does cow dung cause any serious illnesses when it reaches the brain? The doctor answered me, “Yes! If dug is not disposed of the owner of Animo Farm and his tourists can get brain damage or MAD COW DISEASE with symptoms of irritability, anger issues, delusions, Hallucinations and Childish-like behaviours!” I said, “Mmmm! I have seen that!”

  2. Thumbs up Sinkamba for your continued objectivity. Continue guiding the Nation. We are following your footprints closely. No doubt about it. You are next. Stay blessed

    • Sinkamba is not being entirely objective he is Using “Mbala mafia” sentimentalism and kinsmanship with Dudus husband. I don’t see what would give him such optimism because she may make pronouncements but the success of austerity measures as Sinkamba knows all too well do not entirely depend on her but the belief and appreciation of the so called Great leader of these measures and to press upon the PF who only believe in borrowing and inflated spending

    • @shameless: I do not think Mbala mafia kinsmaship sentimantalism are key factors to the optimisticm: He say “To start with, Ms Mwanakatwe must start implementing some of the measures we discussed aimed at generating funds to repay the US$750 Million Eurobond loan. Some of the measures we proposed require a gestation period of three years. Therefore, now is the time to set the measures into motion.”

      In my view, this is where his optimisticim lies…..

  3. The issue of surrendering personal to holder can not work. They should put a cap on overseas trips as this is where a large of resources goes to. These large entourages following the President is unnecessary. Government vehicles should only be used for the purpose intended and not running personal errands. Campaigns should not be used as a conduit to steal from the treasury and abuse of government assets. We are in deep trouble if we are not going to take precautionary measures going forward. Our economy is in dire straights, let us call for an indaba and plan our way forward, politics aside for now.

  4. Free talk time , free transport , free housing……the list is endless for GRZ officials and ministers…..unless the head shows willingness to cut costs you are all just making noise…….lungu is busy promising new unbudgeted districts and hospitals…

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